I removed the pressurized device from my portafiler a while back and was pleased with the results. A couple of days ago I decided to take it a step further and cut the bottom out (I love dremel tools). Unfortunately, now espresso goes everywhere, it doesnt drip nicely from a single spot, it dribbles to the sides and comes down in multiple places covering an area larger than any of my cups.

Is this the results of my technique or can this happen on a home-made bottomless PF?

I removed the pressurized device from my portafiler a while back and was pleased with the results. A couple of days ago I decided to take it a step further and cut the bottom out (I love dremel tools). Unfortunately, now espresso goes everywhere, it doesnt drip nicely from a single spot, it dribbles to the sides and comes down in multiple places covering an area larger than any of my cups.

Is this the results of my technique or can this happen on a home-made bottomless PF?

yeah, I've been reading on how to read your bottomless PF - looking for tiger-striping, etc, that's what inspired me to do this. I haven't come accross one just making a complete mess yet though - I'll keep digging. I know I'm getting some nasty chanelling, I'm sure its all related. I just hope the answer isnt a finer grind, I'm already so fine I get small amounts of sludge through in my espresso.

Edit: I think I found it. Its under "System Meldown" when everything goes wrong on this page, lol. Looks like I hae some work to do.Click Here (www.home-barista.com)

I would have never seen this without my bottomless PF, though. I'll take this as an opportunity to learn.

6 months ago I got a used Barista, and I recently just de-pressurized the PF. I went to home depot and picked up some lock washers (size 10), and replaced the round insert washers that the screws go into. Works perfectly and now the pf does not rotate at all. Easy and cheap!

If there are any other active Barista machine owners out there, I would love to know about other tips/tricks for getting the most out of this machine.

I'm happy to see so many people enjoying their Starbucks Barista machines. I used mine for almost 10 years before upgrade fever set in. Here is a useful link to help keep your machines maintained and functioning well.Click Here (www.ifixit.com)

Using the Saeco Aroma (close enough). I put temp probe on the exterior of the boiler to make temp surfing easier. Makes it much more simple to get consistency. That aside, a good grinder and good fresh beans are all it takes. I've given some thought to a momentary switch for ultimate steaming control but have not gone there yet.

6 months ago I got a used Barista, and I recently just de-pressurized the PF. I went to home depot and picked up some lock washers (size 10), and replaced the round insert washers that the screws go into. Works perfectly and now the pf does not rotate at all. Easy and cheap!

If there are any other active Barista machine owners out there, I would love to know about other tips/tricks for getting the most out of this machine.

As I said, I bought mine at Home Depot for $1 (bag of 30 I believe). My PF is at home or I would show you a picture of what it looks like, but you will get the idea just looking at the washer.

As for the link you said helped, it basically says that you push the steam button in, and once lit, then you depress and pull a few shots of water and then immediately pull the shot of espresso. Do you actually do this procedure and you think the shots come out better than waiting for the (grind) light to come back on?

I am getting my new grinder tomorrow (A Rocky -- it is the nicest thing I could afford), and I'm hopeful that it will make a nice difference.

My big issue is with frothing the milk. I have scoured the Internet for ideas/advice, and the best thing I have found so far is the following utube video:

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QDXnaB1FQc>

It actually shows someone using this machine to do a great latte. It is unique in that he doesn't actually advocate moving the wand around much. He doesn't do anything special about the boiler temperature that I have read about on one of these forums. Any experience out there in this regard would be appreciated.

Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post

Forum Rules:No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards.No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum.No SEO style postings will be tolerated. SEO related posts will result in immediate ban from CoffeeGeek.No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum.Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards.Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics.Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies.Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies.Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts.Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.